Staff Directory

JAMES BRUCKBAUER, deputy director, manages finances, staff development, and organizational systems for Groundwork. Jim is also a respected leader on policy to support vibrant downtowns, housing strategies, and transportation choices in Michigan. james@groundworkcenter.org 616-843-0419

DIANE CONNERS, senior policy specialist, has been advancing Groundwork's food & farming program for more than a decade. Diane is a champion—recognized nationally—for good food as the foundation for community health and farm to school programming. diane@groundworkcenter.org 231-499-3937

MANDY GIBSONfinancial manager, takes care of Groundwork’s financial records and assists with budgeting, board reporting, grant reports and daily bookkeeping. She is a local entrepreneur who has spent the past 14 years as a business advisor to small businesses and nonprofits. mandy@groundworkcenter.org

JIM LIVELY, program director, oversees policy staff and strategy for all programs. Jim directs our work to revive passenger rail and has been a crucial leader in the high profile campaign to shut down the Line 5 oil pipeline and protect the Great Lakes. jim@groundworkcenter.org 231-360-7222

AMY MACKAY, development director, is responsible for growing the base of supporters who strengthen Groundwork’s long-term financial stability. Amy coordinates our planned giving and major gifts programs and works with members and donors to raise awareness about our mission. amy@groundworkcenter.org 231-534-5259

JENNIFER SCHAAP, local food policy specialist, coordinates our food and farming program in the Northern Farms Foodshed of Antrim, Charlevoix and Emmet counties. Her work includes support for our farm to school and food access projects as well as the expansion of markets for farms and food businesses. jen@groundworkcenter.org 616-856-1163

HANS VOSS, executive director, points Groundwork toward strategic goals by collaborating with staff on strategy, cultivating relationships with partners, and working with the Board, Advisory Council, donors, and foundations. Hans is an enthusiastic champion for community resilience. hans@groundworkcenter.org 231-620-6914

JACOB WHEELER, communications manager, manages program communications and media relations. Jacob is a leader for Groundwork's New Economy Project, a multimedia storytelling series that catalyzes conversations around current issues. jacob@groundworkcenter.org 612-804-5975

TRICIA PHELPS, chief executive officer, directs the mission to expand markets and economic opportunity for farmers and local food entrepreneurs. Tricia manages a strategic marketing strategy to connect people with local food and products. A talented and thoughtful leader, Tricia is well respected and highly connected to Michigan's local agricultural community. Tricia began as an intern for TLD in 2014, managed farmers markets for several years and led communications projects for the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. tricia@localdifference.org 847-809-7643